For years doctors and pharmaceutical companies have promoted the theory that depression is a chemical imbalance. This theory was created by scientist Joseph J. Schildkraut in his paper “The Catecholamine Hypothesis of Affections Disorders” (1965).

Joseph based his theory on findings that people who felt depressed had lower levels of mood related neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.

The drug companies took this theory and ran, making billions in the process.
Popular well-known antidepressant drugs include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Celexa, Zoloft, and Prozac.

So How Do We Explain These Chemical Imbalance Studies?

Great question!

All of our thoughts release different neurotransmitters and hormones.

When you laugh really hard, your brain releases endorphins into your body which decreases pain and makes you feel great!

Thinking happy and exciting thoughts also releases the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.

People who think negative thoughts release these neurotransmitters and hormones at a much lower rate. In other words, these people aren’t thinking the thoughts to release enough of these neurotransmitters and hormones to feel great.

So What Chemicals Do People Who Feel Depressed Release?

People who have depressing and emotionally charged thoughts activate a part of our brain called the amygdala. The amygdala then releases so called ‘stress hormones’ called cortisol and noradrenaline.

These hormones are involved in the fight-or-flight response. The fight-or-flight response may be helpful for a little while when needed, but overusing it will eventually exhaust one’s body and mind. Our bodies and minds then try to save our emotional and physical health by physically, and emotionally releasing, or in other words giving up.

How Do Our Bodies and Minds Release This Stress?

A way to emotionally release is to think a thought like “I keep trying and failing. This will never work. I might as well give up”.

If this thought is true or not doesn’t matter to the exhausted person. Someone who keeps trying and supposedly failing and therefore feels exhausted, will do and think anything to feel better.

This ‘depressing’ thought actually helps the person to actually relax after they’ve been in a heightened emotional state for such a long period. They consciously and/or unconsciously realize that this thought relaxed them, even if a little bit, so they keep thinking it.

Over time, this thought and thoughts like these make them feel so apathetic and exhausted, as well as making them rarely release the ‘feel good’ neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.

Basically, it’s the lack of happy and empowering thoughts which cause a decrease in these feel good neurotransmitters, not the other way around.

Changing your thoughts will change the chemicals you release which in turn will change how you feel.

During sessions with Giovanni Maccarrone B.A., C.L.C., you’ll be able to:

– look at the thoughts and limiting beliefs

– look at the situation which proceeded those thoughts and beliefs

– look at the situation from a more open and empowering perspective

– release the depressing thoughts that don’t serve you anymore

– choose different thoughts and beliefs that give you lasting happiness, strength, and high self-esteem

Get happy, fearless and high self-esteem. Quit smoking, lose weight, overcome social anxiety, addictions & bad habits, and make money. OCD and ADD Treatment, Couples Therapy and Relieve Stress in only 3-6 sessions.

“I’ve seen many psychologists, counsellors, therapists and mental health practitioners, but with Giovanni my ENERGY, OUTLOOK, and ATTITUDE CHANGED COMPLETELY after just one session. Giovanni is quick, authentic, and warm. I highly recommend him!” – Esperanza